Peter Smith

BASED ON recent matches, here’s a few suggestions – in no particular order – of ways to improve the game.

None of them is particularly radical or would alter the character of the sport, but perhaps they’d add to the entertainment.

1: Scrap video referees.

The current system – whereby the referee gives an opinion on whether a try has been scored or not before asking for the video assistants’ opinion – seemed like a good idea when it was introduced, but isn’t working.

Supposedly, there has to be clear evidence the ref has made a mistake for the video officials to overrule him.

That has led to costly errors, for example Castleford Tigers’ disallowed try at Catalans Dragons early in the season.

The old system, where decisions were handed on for a single video referee to make a ruling, wasn’t effective either, as too many mistakes were made.

Long delays for decisions break up the action and are boring for television viewers and fans on the terraces.

Also, it’s an uneven playing field, as not all games are televised. Unless somebody can come up with a system which is going to eliminate mistakes, let’s just leave it to the men in the middle.

2: Assuming that isn’t going to happen, because the broadcasters wouldn’t want it to, let’s go totally the other way and allow video referees to intervene if a clear mistake has been made anywhere on the pitch, not just when called on in try-scoring situations.And there should be a video ref at every game. In other words, all or nothing.

3: Double-movements should be allowed in a try-scoring situation.

If a player is hauled down near the line, why shouldn’t he be allowed to reach over?

The game is supposed to be about scoring tries, not finding ways to prevent them. It would also make things easier for match officials.